Manifold arrangement and parts therefor or the like

ABSTRACT

A manifold arrangement for a fuel burning apparatus, the manifold arrangement interconnecting a source of fuel to the burner means thereof. A manifold fitting is disposed between the fuel source and the burner means and has passage means therethrough through which the entire fuel flow must pass to reach the burner means. The manifold fitting has a transverse opening therein leading from the exterior thereof to the passage means. A self-contained pressure regulator is received in the opening, the regulator having a housing that closes the opening and intersects the passage means of the manifold fitting in such a manner that the entire fuel flow through the fitting passes through the regulator housing and is thus under the control of the pressure regulator. When the regulator is removed or is not to be included in the arrangement, a plug is utilized to close the opening of the fitting.

1 1 3,744,754 1 1 July 10,1973

1 1 MANIFOLD ARRANGEMENT AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company,

Richmond, Va.

[22] Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 219,445

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 25,037, April 2, 1970,

Roy C. Demi, Greensburg, Pa.

abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 251/363, 251/367, 137/454.5, 137/505.18 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6k 43/00 [58] Field of Search 137/4545, 454.6, 137/315; 285/156; 251/363, 367

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,419,650 6/1922 Sorensen 137/4545 2,520,092 8/1950 Fredickson.... 137/4545 3,416,818 12/1968 Coulin 285/156 X 3,478,774 11/1969 Noakes 137 4545 2,980,132 4/1961 Prijatel 137/4545 X 2,826,214 3/1958 Volker... 137/4546 3,229,710 1/1966 Keller 137/315 1,793,292 2/1931 Taylor 137/4546 UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,015,289 9/1957 Germany 137/4545 Primary Examinerl'larold W. Weakley AttorneyCandor, Candor & Tassone [5 7] ABSTRACT A manifold arrangement for a fuel burning apparatus, the manifold arrangement interconnecting a source of fuel to the burner means thereof. A manifold fitting is disposed between the fuel source and the burner means and has passage means therethrough through which the entire fuel flow must pass to reach the burner means. The manifold fitting has a transverse opening therein leading from the exterior thereof to the passage means. A self-contained pressure regulator is received in the opening, the regulator having a housing that closes the opening and intersects the passage means of the manifold fitting in such a manner that the entire fuel flow through the fitting passes through the regulator housing and is thus under the control of the pressure regulator. When the regulator is removed or is not to be included in the arrangement, a plug is utilized to close the opening of the fitting.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJuuo'ms 3.744754 swan 1 BF 2 I4 39/ IO :5 I22 I. H 2? I7 FIG.2

' INVENTOR.

ROY C. DEMI BY wrap HIS ATTORNEYS Pmmimuumm 3.744754 sum 2 or 2 INVENTOR. ROY C. DEMI HIS ATTORNEYS MANIFOLD ARRANGEMENT AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 25,037, filed Apr. 2, 1970, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a manifold arrangement for a fuel burning apparatus or the like and to the various parts of such a manifold arrangement or the like.

It has been found according to the teachings of this invention that it is desirable to provide a manifold arrangement wherein a self-contained pressure regulator construction can be utilized with the manifold means to provide for complete pressure regulation of the flow of fuel through the manifold means. Alternately, such manifold arrangement would readily permit the re moval of such pressure regulator means so that the manifold arrangement can be utilized without pressure regulation if desired.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide such a manifold arrangement.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a manifold fitting which will permit the manifold arrangement to readily accept a self-contained pressure regulator or receive a plug in place thereof.

In this manner, the manifold arrangement of this invention makes it very convenient to include a pressure regulator at some time in the future and also makes it readily easy to replace a defective pressure regulator.

In particular, one embodiment of this invention provides a manifold arrangement for a fuel burning apparatus or the like that comprises a manifold means for interconnecting a source of fuel to a burner means of the apparatus. The manifold means includes a manifold fitting disposed in the manifold means between the fuel source and the burner means. The fitting has a passage means therethrough through which the entire fuel flow must pass to reach the burner means. The fitting has a transverse opening therein leading from the exterior thereof to the passage means. A self-contained pressure regulator is received in the opening, the regulator having a housing that is provided with a threaded portion threaded in the threaded opening of the manifold fitting whereby the housing intersects the passage means of the fitting so that the entire fuel flow through the fitting must pass through the regulator housing and is thus under the control of the pressure regulator. The regulator housing can be readily removed from such opening means and a threaded plug can be utilized in place thereof to close the opening in the manifold fitting if desired.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved manifold arrangement having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved self-contained pressure regulator for such a manifold arrangement or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved housing for such a pressure regulator or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved manifold fitting for receiving such a selfcontained pressure regulator or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the manifold arrangement of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates the manifold fitting of the manifold arrangement of FIG. I having the self-contained pressure regulator attached thereto.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the housing for the pressure regulator of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line44 of FIG. 3.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adapted to provide a manifold arrangement having a pressure regulator, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide other types of manifold arrangements as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the improved manifold arrangement of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a manifold means 11 for: interconnecting a fuel source 12 to a burner means 13 of a cooking apparatus or the like, the manifold means 11 having a manifold fitting 14 of this invention disposed therein for coupling a conduit means 15 leading from the fuel source 12 to a conduit means 16 leading to the burner means 13.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manifold fitting 14 of this invention comprises a body portion 17 having a substantially rectangular transverse cross-sectional configuration whereby such body portion 17 is provided with flat sides, such as the opposed fiat sides 18 and 19 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and opposed ends 20 and 21 respectively integrally interconnected to outwardly projecting cylindrical coupling portions 22 and 23 suitably externally threaded for coupling respectively to the conduits l5 and 16 through a threaded relation therewith or with threaded coupling members in a manner well known in the art.

The manifold fitting 14 is provided with a passage means 24 passing therethrough whereby the entire fuel flow from the fuel source 12 to the burner means 13 must pass through the passage means 24 of the manifld fitting 14. The passage means 24 in the manifold fitting 14 is so constructed and arranged that the same leads from the inlet coupling part 22 through an opening 25 in an internal wall 26' to a substantially cylindrical transverse opening 26 interrupting the flat surface 19 thereof. The transverse opening 26 intersects the passage means 24 in such a manner that the same defines a flat annular shoulder 27 of the manifold fitting 14 that faces toward the opening 26 that interrupts the side 19 of the fitting 14 whereby the passage means 24 interconnects the opening 26 through a circular opening 28 in the annular shoulder 27 to a lower portion 29 of the passage means 24. The lower portion 29 of the passage means 24 is interconnected through an opening 30 in another interior wall 31 of the fitting 14 to theoutlet coupling part 23 of the fitting 14.

The walls 26' and 31 are suitably shaped as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to facilitate fuel flow through the openings 25 and 30 thereof in a smooth and substantially non-turbulent manner whereby the entire fuel flow through the fitting 14 must pass through the circular opening 28 in the annular shoulder 27 of the fitting 14.

The upper portion 32 of the transverse opening 26 of the manifold fitting 14 is internally threaded for thread edly receiving either an externally threaded portion 33 of a plug 34 or an externally threaded portion 35 of a housing means 36 of a self-contained pressure regulator 37 as illustrated respectively in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In particular, the sealing plug 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 has an enlarged portion 38 provided with an outwardly directed flat annular shoulder 39 adjacent the threaded portion 33 thereof so that when the threaded portion 33 of the plug 34 is threaded into the opening 26 of the fitting 14 as illustrated in FIG. I, the flat annular shoulder 39 of the enlarged part 38 of the plug 34 engagesagainst the flat side 19 of the fitting 14 to close the opening 26 in the exterior of the fitting 14. In order to insure a fluid tight seal between the plug 34 and the fitting 14, the plug 34 can be provided with an annular recess 40 in the annular shoulder 39 to receive an annular flexible seal ring 41 which will be disposed under compression between the plug 34 and the flat surface 19 of the fitting 14 to completely seal around the opening 26 outboard of the same. If desired the enlarged part 38 of the plug 34 can define a polygon, such as a hexagonal configuration, to facilitate the threaded insertion and threaded removal thereof into and out of the opening 26 of the fitting l4.

Alternately, the fitting l4 could'have an annular recess 42 formed in the flat side 19 thereof adjacent the opening 26 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 to receive a flexible seal ring 43 for sealing against the surface 39 of the plug 34 as desired.

Thus, when the manifold arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided with the seal plug 34, the fitting 14 does not impede the fuel flow therethrough in any adverse manner, but does permit the manifold arrangement 10 to sometime in the future be adapted to receive a self-contained pressure regulator construction 37 of this invention so as to control the pressure of the fuel passing therethrough.

In particular, reference is now made to FIG. 2 wherein the self-contained pressure regulator 37 comprises the housing means 36 so constructed that the same defines an enlarged part 44 adjacent the threaded portion 35 thereof having a flat lower surface or shoulder 45 for engaging against the flat side 19 of the manifold fitting 14 when the housing 36 is threadedly disposed therein in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. If desired, the enlarged part 44 of the housing 36 could have,

a polygon configuration, such as the hexagonal configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, to facilitate the threaded insertion and removal of the self-contained pressure regulator 37 into and out of the opening 26 of the fitting 14.

A substantially cylindrical portion 46 extends from the threaded portion 35 of the housing 36 and terminates at an outwardly directed annular flange 47 having a valve seat means 48 extending from the lower side 49 thereof. The flange 47 and valve seat means 48 can telescopically receive an annular sealing ring 50 which is disposed against the under side 49 of the flange 47 to be compressed by the flange 47 against the annular shoulder 27 of the manifold fitting 14 when the housing means 36 is fully threaded into the threaded opening 26 of the fitting 14 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Since the housing 36 has an opening 51 in the cylindrical portion 46 thereof intermediate the threaded portion 35 and the flange 47 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, such opening 51 intersects a stepped bore 52 passing through the housing 36 to the valve seat 48 thereof so that the entire fuel flow from the inlet part 25 of the passage means 26 must pass into the opening 51 of the housing 36 and out through the valve seat 48 thereof to the outlet opening 30 of the manifold 14 whereby the entire fuel flow through the fitting 14 of FIG. 2 is under the control of the pressure regulator 37. Because the cylindrical portion 46 of the housing 36 is inwardly disposed relative to the walls 26 and 31 of the fitting 14, the opening 51 of the housing 36 is always in fluid communication with the opening 25 regardless of the rotational position of the regulator 37 in the fitting 14.

While the housing means 36 of this invention can carry any suitable pressure regulator structure for controlling the pressure of the fuel passing through the fitting 14, the housing 36 carries pressure regulator structure of the type fully disclosed and claimed in Ser. No. 643,170 filed June 2, I967, and Ser. No. 740,150, filed June 26, 1968, such copending applications being assigned to the same assignee to whom this application is assigned and do not form a part of this invention except in combination with the unique housing 36 of thisinvention for providing a self-contained pressure regulator structure for insertion and removal from the manifold fitting 14 of this invention.

Therefore, only sufficient details of the pressure regulator structure carried byv the housing 36 will now be described in order to fully understand the features of this invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing 36 carries a pair of flexible diaphragms 81 and 82 respectively having the outer peripheries 53 and 54 thereof held in annular grooves 55 and 56 of the housing means 36 by metallic retainers 57 and 58. A valve stem 59 has a portion 60 passing through an opening 61 in the flexible diaphragm 82 while being coupled thereto by a seal member 62, the part 60 being interconnected to the medial portion 63 of the flexible diaphragm 81 so as to move in unison therewith. l

The valve stem 59 carries a valve member 64 at the lower end thereof provided with a flexible surface means 65 for cooperating with the valve seat 48 of the housing 36, the valve stem 59 having suitable guide fins 66 thereon for guiding movement of the valve stem 59 in the stepped bore 52 of the housing 36. The valve stem 59 is hollow so as to interconnect the lower part 29 of the passage means 24 on the outlet side of the fitting 14 to a chamber 67 defined between the flexible diaphragms 82 and 81.

The metallic retainer 57 substantially closes off the upper end of the stepped bore 52 in the housing 36 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and has a tubular portion 68 being internally threaded at 69 to receive a threaded adjusting member 70. A compression spring 71 is disposed between the adjusting member 70 and the diaphragm 81 to tend to urge the diaphragm 81 and, thus, the valve member 64 downwardly in a direction to open the valve seat 48.

In this manner, the setting of the adjusting member 70 and thus, the force of the compression spring 71 will cause the self-contained pressure regulator 37 to maintain the pressure of the fuel passing through the fitting 14 from the fuel source 12 to the burner means 13 to be maintained at the pressure setting of the device 37 in the manner fully disclosed in the aforementioned copending patent applications.

in particular, the pressure of the fuel in the outlet portion 29 of the fitting 15 is conveyed to the chamber 67 between the diaphragms 81 and 82 to act against the under side of the diaphragm 81 in opposing the force of the compression spring 71 tending to move the diaphragm 81 downwardly. Thus, when the pressure in the outlet part 29 of the fitting 14 exceeds the pressure setting, the same moves the diaphragm 81 upwardly in opposition to the force of the compression spring 71 so as to decrease the amount of opening of the valve seat 48 whereby the pressure in the outlet portion 29 of the fitting 14 drops accordingly. Conversely, should the pressure in the outlet 29 fall below the pressure 17 of the regulator 37, the force of the pressure in the chamber 67 has decreased so that the compression spring 71 moves the flexible diaphragm 81 downwardly to increase the amount of opening of the valve seat 48 so that the pressure in the outlet portion 29 of the fitting 14 can be increased.

Therefore, it can be seen that when the selfcontained pressure regulator 37 of this invention is disposed in the opening'26 of the fitting 14 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the manifold arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 will'completely control the pressure of the fuel being directed to the burner means 13 from the fuel source 12.

Thus, not only does this invention provide an improved manifold arrangement, but also this invention provides improved parts for such a manifold arrangement or the like, such as an improved manifold fitting, an improved pressure regulator for such a manifold fitting and an improved housing for such a self-contained pressure regulator.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been described as required by the statute, other forms may be used all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A manifold arrangement for a fuel burning apparatus comprising a manifold means for interconnecting a source of fuel to a burner means, said manifold means including a fitting disposed in said manifold means between said fuel source and said burner means and having passage means therethrough through which the entire fuel flow must pass to reach said burner means, said fitting having a transverse opening therein leading from the exterior thereof to said passage means, and a selfcontained pressure regulator received in said opening, said regulator having a one-piece housing member that closes said opening and intersects said passage means of said fitting so that the entire fuel flow through said fitting passes through said regulator housing member and is thus under the control of said pressure regulator, said opening in said fitting being internally threaded, said regulator housing member having an externally threaded integral portion threaded in said threaded opening to secure said regulator housing to said fitting, said fitting having an internal annular flange defining an annular shoulder with said passage means passing therethrough, said regulator housing member having an outwardly directed annular integral flange means bearing against said internal annular shoulder, said regulator housing member having an annular reduced integral portion intermediate said threaded portion and said annular flange means thereof and extending from said threaded portion to said annular flange so that said threaded portion and said annular flange extend outwardly from said reduced portion in the same direction and are parallel to each other, said regulator housing member having an annular integral shoulder bearing against the outside of said fitting around said opening thereof, said internal annular shoulder of said fitting facing said opening thereof, said regulator housing member having an integral valve seat portion thereof extending beyond said annular flange means thereof and projecting into said passage means on the other side of said internal annular flange of said fitting, whereby said integral valve seat portion is guided by said internal annular flange of said fitting and has the valve seat thereof inwardly offset from said internal annular flange and extending beyond the same.

2. A manifold arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein sealing means is disposed between said annular shoulder and said fitting to be compressed therebetween and thereby seal around said opening.

3. A manifold arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fitting has a flat surface interrupted by said opening, said annular shoulder of said regulator housing member having a flat annular surface engaging said flat surface of said fitting.

4. A manifold'arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator housing member has a portion defining a polygon to facilitate threaded insertion and removal of said regulator to and from said opening of said fitting, said polygon portion having said annular shoulder on one side thereof.

5. A manifold arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular flange means of said regulator housing member has resilient sealing means for sealing said housing member to said internal annular shoulder of said fitting about said passage means passing therethrough. 

1. A manifold arrangement for a fuel burning apparatus comprising a manifold means for interconnecting a source of fuel to a burner means, said manifold means including a fitting disposed in said manifold means between said fuel source and said burner means and having passage means therethrough through which the entire fuel flow must pass to reach said burner means, said fitting having a transverse opening therein leading from the exterior thereof to said passage means, and a self-contained pressure regulator received in said opening, said regulator having a one-piece housing member that closes said opening and intersects said passage means of said fitting so that the entire fuel flow through said fitting passes through said regulator housing member and is thus under the control of said pressure regulator, said opening in said fitting being internally threaded, said regulator housing member having an externally threaded integral portion threaded in said threaded opening to secure said regulator housing to said fitting, said fitting having an internal annular flange defining an annular shoulder with said passage means passing therethrough, said regulator housing member having an outwardly directed annular integral flange means bearing against said internal annular shoulder, said regulator housing member having an annular reduced integral portion intermediate said threaded portion and said annular flange means thereof and extending from said threaded portion to said annular flange so that said threaded portion and said annular flange extend outwardly from said reduced portion in the same direction and are parallel to each other, said regulator housing member having an annular integral shoulder bearing against the outside of said fitting around said opening thereof, said internal annular shoulder of said fitting facing said opening thereof, said regulator housing member having an integral valve seat portion thereof extending beyond said annular flange means thereof and projecting into said passage means on the other side of said internal annular flange of said fitting, whereby said integral valve seat portion is guided by said internal annular flange of said fitting and has the valve seat thereof inwardly offset from said internal annular flange and extending beyond the same.
 2. A manifold arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein sealing means is disposed between said annular shoulder and said fitting to be compressed therebetween and thereby seal around said opening.
 3. A manifold arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fitting has a flat surface interrupted by said opening, said annular shoulder of said regulator housing member Having a flat annular surface engaging said flat surface of said fitting.
 4. A manifold arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator housing member has a portion defining a polygon to facilitate threaded insertion and removal of said regulator to and from said opening of said fitting, said polygon portion having said annular shoulder on one side thereof.
 5. A manifold arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular flange means of said regulator housing member has resilient sealing means for sealing said housing member to said internal annular shoulder of said fitting about said passage means passing therethrough. 